Old Town man accused of threatening roommate with firearm

OLD TOWN, Maine — An Old Town man is facing a felony charge after allegedly threatening his roommate with a gun on Thursday, according to police.

Jared Wezner, 23, and one of his roommates had a disagreement over rent which spurred the threat, according to Old Town police Sgt. Lee Miller.

Miller said police received a complaint shortly after 5 p.m. that a man had been threatened with a .22-caliber rifle. When the sergeant and Officers Christine McAvoy and Jordan Norton arrived on scene, Wezner was standing on a lawn and gave police the gun without incident.

The victim had gone to the residence to gather some of his belongings, the sergeant said, and Wezner went into the man’s bedroom to confront him when he heard something break.

The victim told police Wezner pointed the gun at his face for 45 seconds before a struggle ensued, which continued into the hall. The weapon eventually discharged, Miller said, but neither Wezner nor the victim were hit.

Soon after the gun was fired, the victim’s father came inside and asked what was going on, the sergeant said. The victim and his father left and called police, who arrived shortly after.

“Jared told Officer McAvoy it was his intent to intimidate the victim,” Miller said.

Wezner was placed under arrest and charged with reckless conduct with a firearm, criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon, criminal threatening and reckless conduct, Miller said. He was brought to Penobscot County Jail and later released on bail.